By members of the Ernst Thälmann Division of the APL | Minnesota–

Friday, Jan. 23 – over 50,000 workers and protesters in the Twin Cities showed out for multiple protests and picket lines on a one-day “general strike” organized by major unions and progressive organizations. The protests expressed the rage of Twin Cities workers over ICE abducting and deporting immigrants, murdering peaceful observers such as Renée Good, and profiling and brutalizing national and racial minorities. 

Protests and strikes were held at many unionized workplaces; the metro system continued to run, but fares were not enforced; many workers who did not show up to protests participated in an “economic blackout.”

Throughout the whole day, continuing from coordinated actions taking place this entire month, protests were held at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, which headquarters ICE’s activity in Minneapolis. On Jan. 23, the protests escalated to block off key accessways to and from the building. Local police gave a dispersal order around noon. At around 3:00 PM, reports of water canons being rolled in began circulating. And then around 8:00 PM, some reports indicated that protesters had been “kettled” – a protest control tactic where police trap protesters between either a closed area or multiple walls of police, and then rush in, making as many arrests as possible. These reports have not been confirmed by bourgeois media outlets.

In the morning, from 10:00 to noon, a protest led by religious organizations was held at the MSP Airport, at Terminal 1 across from departures. Protesters took the road for under 15 minutes, and were ushered back to the sidewalk by marshals. The protest dispersed in a relatively unorganized fashion, but despite police moving on the scene, no, or very few, protesters were arrested for the occupation of street space. However, a large contingent of clergy members who led the demonstration escalated after the majority of protesters had left. Over 100 clergy members were arrested.

At 2:00 PM, the largest protest in Minneapolis since the Palestine solidarity movement and the Black Lives Matter was held downtown starting at The Commons Park, and marching down to the Target Center. The protest encompassed and blocked off multiple blocks for around three hours at -9º F. The speeches given at the Target Center were attended by roughly 15,000 of the protesters, who were asked by the organizers to register for the event in advance.

The commitment of so many people to organize at a moment’s notice, in the midst of such chilling winter weather conditions, demonstrates the unified resolve of the communities of the Twin Cities. Residents are making their position clear: ICE and CBP are not welcome, and the people will continue to do everything within their power to put a stop to the terror in their cities.

Categories: Economy, Immigration, U.S. News